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Christ and the joy of the feast. The Knānites still practice it to remind that
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Christians are a kingly race in Christ.
3.7.9 Ceremonies at Home

3.7.9.1 Solemn Reception by the Mother of the Bridegroom

Another very important custom, particular to the Knānite family, is
the solemn reception of the couple by the groom’s mother by a sign of the
cross on the foreheads of the spouses using a palm leaf (blessed on the
previous Palm Sunday) immersed in water and rice. The name of the
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ceremony is “putting rice and water” (Nellum Neerum). When the
procession reaches the entrance of the marriage pandal, prepared in front of
the bridegroom’s house, the mother of the bridegroom solemnly welcomes
the newly-wedded. In fact, it is a cordial welcome to her daughter-in-law
who is to succeed her as “queen” of the family. The ceremony starts like
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this:
1. The sister of the bridegroom holds a lighted brass lamp
(Kōluvilakku) in one hand and a bowl in the other.
2. The mother of the bridegroom takes the bowl and gives it to the
mother of the bride who is at her right side, while the sister of the
bridegroom stands at her mother’s left with the brass lamp. Placing
the spouses facing east, the groom’s mother asks permission from
the assembly three times and receives their permission.
3. She then traces the “Sign of the Cross” three times on the forehead
of the bridegroom and then on the bride, with the piece of palm leaf
wet with the water containing paddy (rice). For each of the three
times, the palm leaf should be immersed in the water.
3.7.9.1.1 Theological Significance

This Knānite tradition explains that marriage is open to receive life
which is the divine gift of God. All the symbols used are of purity, sanctity,
prosperity and posterity. This ceremony is full of theological significance,

70 Cf. VELLIAN, J., “Marriage Customs of the Kinanites”, in J. VELLIAN (ed.), Crown,
Veil, Cross, Syrian Church Series Vol. XV, Kottayam, 1990, p. 36.
71 Cf. LUKAS, P. U., Malayālatte Suriyāni Kristyānikalute Purātanappāttukal (Ancient
th
songs of the Syrian Christians of Malayalam, 1910), 7 Edition, Jyothi Book House,
Kottayam, 1992, p. 211.
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Cf. Ibid., pp. 211-212. See also J. VELLIAN, “Marriage Customs of the Kinanites”, in J.
VELLIAN (ed.), Crown, Veil, Cross, Syrian Church Series Vol. XV, Kottayam, 1990, p.
36.

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